Several athletes on the track and field team pose alongside head track and field coach Justin Jones at the ODYSSEY Media Group’s Spring Media Day on Feb. 4. Although the team only lost a few seniors in number, Jones feels his younger team is still growing into their new roles. “We did lose a lot of leadership. A lot of student-athletes who were good at being consistent, doing what they’re supposed to do. When you lose that from a team, there’s a kind of layover,” Jones said. “But, this younger group (is) doing great so far this season and we’re really, really proud of them.” Photo by Aza Khan
After the loss of key senior leaders last season, the CCHS track and field team is coming into the 2023 track season with a new identity.
Heading into the 2023 season, track and field head coach Justin Jones has one priority: being successful at the Georgia High School Association Track and Field Championships.
Last year, several Gladiators made appearances at state, with departing seniors Zaili Gantt and Lena Cook capturing a medal in the triple jump and 800-meter, respectively. However, Gantt and Cook’s leadership is gone this year, and in their absence, the path to Columbus looks tougher for the rest of the Gladiators. In addition to the team’s leadership void, a new region presents a challenge.
“This is my last season with some of my senior friends. I’ve been with them for three years and they feel like almost brothers to me, so (I’m looking forward to) making some great memories.”
— Beck Wolf-Hardy,
track and field athlete and juniorh
Despite all these hurdles, Jones isn’t lowering his expectations. Instead, he’s laid down a marker for his team to send even more athletes to state.
“Our region got considerably tougher, and that makes it tougher to get to the sectional meet, but I also think it makes you a better competitor, so we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Jones said.
Track and field athlete Xzaria Hanks, a sophomore, poses at the ODYSSEY Media Group’s Spring Media Day on Feb. 4. Hanks attended the Georgia High School Association Track and Field Championships and feels that she and her teammates are prepared to do the same in the coming season. “I think the whole team is wanting to do great this season with new people,” Hanks said. “Everybody seems like they’re coming in strong, practices are strong and (they’re) just a nice team to be around.” Photo by Aza Khan
Stepping in to fill the hole left behind by the departed seniors, sophomore athletes Ty’asia Brown and Xzaria Hanks have become leaders on the girls side, according to Jones. On the boys side, Beck Wolf-Hardy, a junior, has done the same in hopes of a successful season.
“This is my last season with some of my senior friends. I’ve been with them for three years and they feel like almost brothers to me, so (I’m looking forward to) making some great memories,” Wolf-Hardy said.
Along with Wolf-Hardy, Brown and Hanks are the only members of the team to have attended state before, and Brown hopes to draw on that experience to guide the newer freshmen ahead of Time Trials on Feb. 22.
“I made it to state as a freshman, so I want all the freshmen we have this year to keep in mind that it’s a lot to make it to that position and it’s kinda hard to be there,” Brown said. “I keep on pushing (other athletes) because sometimes it can be hard at practice and some of them do want to quit, but that’s not the mindset we’re going for this year.”
